Jones targets Kiwi comeback

The Llanelli Scarlet No.10 looked set to miss Wales’s remaining autumn internationals against the Pacific Islands, Canada and New Zealand.

But the 28-year-old says his damaged knee is responding well and he is targeting Wales’s tussle with Canada on November 17th as a come-back game ahead of the New Zealand fixture a week later. “If it keeps improving like this, I am hopeful of playing against Canada and then, fingers crossed, the All Blacks,” said Jones, whose limp has vanished.

“There is no chance of playing against the Pacific Islands this Saturday, but I am really happy as Sunday morning it was stiff and I was struggling to walk. It has come on in leaps and bounds in the last few days. It’s a grade one injury to the medial ligament, which means it is just damaged fibres and not as severe as first thought.”

Jones was cheering on Hook from the touchline as the 21-year-old seized his moment to shine for Wales. Jones commented, “He had an awesome game, his composure was superb, because he didn’t have one kick that was easy to calm his nerves.”

“He kicked brilliantly, but his distribution was also really good and he mixed up his game, which was really impressive. In this day and age, you need a squad all vying for places and it puts us in good stead for the World Cup next year.”